Howdo,

My girlfriend is trying to get into the mountain biking but my preferred Dark Peak trails have proved a fairly challenging learning ground.

If anyone has any suggestions for reasonable length day rides in the peaks or other places surrounding Manchester. Marginally rocky trails would be good so she can get used to it, descents of more than about 10% tend to be a bit more of an issue. I'm not entirely adverse to cheeky stuff, as long as the farmers aren't too militant. For context, she really liked riding along the Roman road on Hope Brink, Jagger's Clough started ok then got a bit steep.

Maybe the trails around New Mills, Birch Vale & Hayfield. Most are reasonable rather than technical.

South Peak loop maybe? Not ridden all of it, but the bits I do know aren't that technical.

http://www.peakhorsepower.co.uk/south-p ... 4591186779
http://www.peakdistrictmtb.org/index.ph ... t-any-good

All of the tracks on this ride maybe

https://www.strava.com/activities/614846108

I reckon we'll see how we fare doing the bridleways south of Birch Vale, then loop back and give the trails over middle moor, northeast of Hayfield, a bash, then finish up on Lantern Pike. I can't remember the bridleway on middle moor being particular tech, but still pretty fun I think.

Dave Barter wrote:All of the tracks on this ride maybe

https://www.strava.com/activities/614846108

Is everything on that CX/gravel bike friendly Dave?